R3: DOES THE STRUCTURE REQUIRE PLANNING PERMISSION?

From taking part in the construction of the R3 structure, I somewhat have an advantage in being able say whether or not it required planning permission to be built. However, there is still room for debate on whether or not it should require planning permission.

As seen in the architectural drawings, the structure has been split into two which means that it is not required to meet building regulations. In order to answer the question of whether it requires planning permission, a decision must be made about whether it can be considered a building. To do this, we must look at characteristics such as size, permanence, and how it is physically attached to the ground.

While volunteering to build R3, there were discussions about how the structure will be fitted with wheels so that it is mobile and therefore won't require planning permission. However, just because the attachment of wheels allows the structure to move, that does not mean that it will. As seen in the drawings, the structure sits in quite a closed site and the dimensions might not allow for it to be moved more than two or three metres. Furthermore, we are not sure how long the structure will be situated on the site. It may be designed to be a temporary structure, but given the current situation of Covid-19, it might remain on site for longer than planned. Despite the designers claiming it will be temporary, it might still require planning permission but as a temporary building.

As previously stated, the structure has been split into two separate parts in order to avoid cohering with building regulations. It could be argued that each half is its own independent structure which are relatively small and therefore might not require planning permission. However, the two parts are in very close proximity and will have the same use. This could be seen as an argument to see both parts of the structure as one unit that requires planning permission.

In my opinion, R3 should require planning permission because I think that it has a significant impact on the site due to its size and use, its uncertain permanence, and lack of mobility (despite being designed to be on wheels).